SERVING IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH: BRIBES, RAPE AND HUMILIATION

Soldier of the Armenian armed forces Karen Harutunyan, who deserted from the army and crossed the Azerbaijani border, spoke to APA about reasons of his action.

“They threatened me,  I was told, that if I didn’t give money they would kill me. I had to deal with assaults, beatings, dishonor and even an attempted rape.. I was forced to clean up toilets. They broke my finger. Then I decided to go for escape."

Harutunyan said such cases were happening in all military bases of Armenia. “They send only poor people to Karabakh. We need to bribe 6-8 thousand dollars not to serve in Karabakh”.

Karen said it was impossible to live and work in Armenia, "people couldn’t eat normally and everyone demand Serzh Sargsyan to resign and join the protest actions against him."

He said he was planning to cross the Turkey’s border and while crossing the borders he thought that he was in Turkey. “I saw a child when I crossed the borders. I explain him that I want to eat and to drink. He took me to his home. I was given cigarettes, water and food. Then I took a rest”.

Harutunyan said he would like to go to third country, but he was feeling well in Azerbaijan. "I underwent treatment here. There is no problem with food. Everything is normal. My family has nothing to be concerned about". Harutunyan, 20, served in 549th regiment and crossed into the territory of Gedabey region of Azerbaijan in July, 2009.


/APA/